Worktable

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic worktable ( 28 ) for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment is disclosed. The worktable ( 28 ) comprises a table top ( 30 ), a base ( 32 ) and a support leg ( 33 ). The base ( 32 ) takes the form of a U-shaped housing ( 34 ), to which the support leg ( 33 ) is fitted, the support leg ( 33 ) in turn comprising a base leg ( 42 ) and a sliding connector ( 44 ). The sliding connector ( 44 ) is fitted to the table top ( 30 ) and arranged to telescope within the base leg ( 42 ) for allowing the height of the table top ( 30 ) to be adjusted. The table top ( 30 ) is removably fitted with a padded support ( 52 ), which is used to support the relevant limb of the person being attended to. The table top cover ( 50 ) further defines a recess ( 54 ) for receiving the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during the treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a worktable and in particular to an adjustable worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. Pedicurists, manicurists and podiatrists, in general, treat the hands, nails, feet and toenails of people. This typically includes using a file or some other abrasive device to remove dead skin cells, trimming, cutting and filing nails, and, if necessary, removing coms and calluses. These steps are generally done by providing a worktable or some other support structure, such as the attendant's lap, on which the hands and feet of the person can rest, and so be attended to. There are, however, several disadvantages to this arrangement, including the fact that the hands and feet of the person are often not comfortably supported. In the event of a person's foot being supported on the attendant's lap, it is difficult to treat the underside of the foot, and thus typically the person's leg has to be supported by the attendant. This is awkward and uncomfortable for both the attendant and the person being treated. In addition, the dead skin shavings and cut nails are inconvenient to collect with a view to the disposal thereof, in that they are typically simply allowed to fall onto the floor. This necessitates the floor to be swept after each treatment, which is clearly inconvenient and labour intensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, the worktable comprising:

-   -   a table top including:     -   cushioning means for supporting the hands or ankles of the         person during the treatment; and     -   a first recess defined in the table top for facilitating the         collection, and thus hygienic disposal, of the dead skin         shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure,         manicure or podiatry treatment;     -   a base; and     -   a support leg extending between the base and the table top for         supporting the table top relative to the base. Conveniently, the         worktable further includes adjustment means for allowing the         height of the table top, relative to the base, to be varied. In         particular, the height of the worktable can be correctly set so         that it is at a comfortable height during a manicure, and to         allow the ankles of a person, who is being attended to during a         pedicure or podiatry treatment, to be sufficiently elevated. The         adjustment means is also advantageously arranged to be able to         lower the worktable to a sufficiently low height for         facilitating work to be carried out on the upper area of the         foot. This additional work includes the painting of toenails         once the pedicure treatment has been completed.

Typically, the support leg comprises a base leg, which is fitted to the base, and a sliding leg member, which is fitted to the table top, the sliding leg member being arranged to telescope within the base leg. Significantly, the base is substantially U-shaped and comprises a pair of arms extending from a bight portion, the bight portion being arranged to receive a lowermost portion of the support leg. In one version of the invention, the table top comprises a table top base and a table top cover, the table top base being fitted to an uppermost portion of the support leg. Preferably, the table top cover defines a second recess for removably receiving the cushioning means. Conveniently, the second recess defines storage means for storing tools and equipment that will be used by the pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist. In another version of the invention, a trough is removably fitted within the first recess, the trough including a peripheral lip that is arranged to be co-planar with the table top for facilitating the collection of the dead skin shavings and cut nails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a worktable according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top rear perspective view of a worktable according to a second, preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a close-up side perspective view of the table top shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed side, partly exploded, view of the table top shown in FIG. 3, with the table top cover being removed so as to expose the table top base;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of the table top, after the table top cover has been completely removed from the table top base;

FIG. 6 shows a partly exploded perspective view of the worktable shown in FIG. 2, with the padded support being removed from the table top cover; and

FIG. 7 shows a bottom perspective view of the worktable shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, a cosmetic worktable 10 defines an upper surface 12 on which an oblong padded support 14 is fitted. The support 14 is used to support the hand and ankle of a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. The worktable 10 further defines a recess for receiving a stainless steel removable trough 16. The trough 16 includes a peripheral lip 18 that is arranged to be co-planar with the upper surface 12 of the worktable 10, for facilitating the collection, and thus disposal, of the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. After the treatment, the trough 16 can be simply and quickly removed and cleaned, which makes these treatments far more efficient and hygienic. The person being attended to is positioned, typically seated, in front of the worktable 10, indicated by arrow 20, whilst the attendant is positioned behind the worktable 10, indicated by arrow 22. This arrangement conveniently allows the hands and feet to be comfortably supported whilst being attended to, with the trough 16 greatly facilitating the collection of dead skin shavings and cut nails. The worktable 10 further includes adjustment means in the form of a telescoping support arm 24 for allowing the height of the worktable 10 to be adjusted. Although only one support arm is shown in the figure, it is clear that more than one support arm could be used to provide maximum support and balance for the worktable 10. The height of the worktable 10 can thus be correctly set so that it is at a comfortable height during a manicure, and to allow the ankles of a person, being attended to during a pedicure or podiatry treatment, to be sufficiently elevated. Advantageously, the support arm 24 is also able to lower the worktable 10 to a sufficiently low height for facilitating work to be carried out on the upper area of the foot, such as the painting of toenails. The worktable 10 is further fitted with a drawer 26 in which the apparatus used by the attendant can be stored. The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. The cosmetic worktable 28 of the preferred embodiment comprises a table top 30, a base 32 and a support leg 33 connecting the table top 30 to the base 32.

The base 32 takes the form of a U-shaped plastic housing 34, and comprises a pair of arms 36 and 38 extending away from a bight portion 40. The space between the pair of arms 36, 38 conveniently allows the person receiving the pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, and in particular the chair in which the person is sitting, to be shifted as close as possible to the worktable 28. Alternatively, or in addition, a foot spa or bath can be conveniently and easily positioned between the pair of arms 36, 38, for soaking the feet of the person being attended to. This is a significant feature of the present invention, resulting in a relatively compact and time-efficient design, which is especially advantageous in salons where space is limited and time is of the utmost importance. The support leg 33 comprises a base leg 42, in the form of a metal tube, that is fitted to the bight portion 40 of the base 32, and a sliding connector 44, also in the form of a metal tube, that is fitted to a neck portion 46 of the table top 30, as is clearly shown in FIG. 3. The sliding connector 44 is arranged to telescope within the base leg 42, thereby conveniently allowing the height of the table top 30 to be adjusted to suit the type of work being performed by the attendant. The height of the table top 30 is controlled by a foot- or hand-operated pedal 48 that is controlled by the attendant providing the treatment. The pedal 48 is connected to a lifting arrangement within the base leg 42, so that by depressing the pedal 48 the table top 30 can be raised or lowered, as required, and by releasing the pedal the sliding connector 44 is locked in the new position. The lifting arrangement is a standard arrangement well known in the art, and has thus not been described and/or illustrated in any real detail. Referring back to FIG. 2, the table top 30 comprises a table top cover 50, which defines a recess for receiving an elongate elastomeric padded support 52. The support 52, as mentioned above, is used to support the hand, ankle and the foot's arch of a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. The table top cover 50 further defines a recess 54 for receiving the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. The recess 54 is able to accommodate a water bowl for soaking the person's fingers and hands. With specific reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the table top 30 further comprises a table top base 56, to which the table top cover 50 is fixed. The table top base 56 is fixed to the sliding connector 44 by means of a bracket plate 58 that is fitted to the top of the sliding connector 44. The table top base 56 further comprises a plurality of apertures 60A to 60H for receiving fastening elements, such as screws, for connecting the table top cover 50 to the table top base 56. A bifurcated prong 62 extends upwardly for receiving a corresponding receiving element 64 extending downwardly from the table top cover 50, so as to properly align the table top cover 50 relative to the table top base 56.

FIG. 6 clearly shows that the padded support 52 is removably fitted within a recess 66. This advantageously allows the padded support 52 to be removed and replaced so as to gain access to storage means defined by the recess 66. The storage means is typically used to store tools and equipment that will be used by the pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist. In the preferred embodiment, the total maximum height of the worktable 28, and in particular to the top of the non compressed padded support 52, is approximately 787 mm. When the padded support 52 is compressed, the maximum height of the worktable 28 is approximately 760 mm to 780 mm. Conversely, the total minimum height of the worktable 28, when the padded support 52 is not being compressed, is approximately 547 mm. When the padded support 52 is compressed, the minimum height of the worktable 28 is approximately 520 mm to 540 mm. The lifting arrangement is thus capable of moving the table top 30 a distance of 240 mm. Turning now to FIG. 7, the base 32 of the worktable 28, and in particular the arms 36, 38 of the base 32, is fitted with a pair of castor wheels 68 and 70 for facilitating the moving of the worktable 28. Further, this figure also clearly shows the bottom of the table top base 56 defining a pair of recesses 72 and 74 for receiving the fingers of a person wishing to lift the worktable. Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to cosmetic treatments, it is clear that the worktable of the invention could also apply to medical procedures that require a quick and convenient way of collecting and disposing of waste material. The present invention is particularly well suited for allowing easy and convenient access to a hospital bed. 

1. A worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, the worktable comprising: a table top including: cushioning means for supporting the hands or ankles of the person during the treatment; and a first recess defined in the table top for facilitating the collection, and thus hygienic disposal, of the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment; a base; and a support leg extending between the base and the table top for supporting the table top relative to the base.
 2. A worktable according to claim 1, wherein the worktable further includes adjustment means for allowing the height of the table top, relative to the base, to be varied.
 3. A worktable according to either one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the support leg comprises a base leg, which is fitted to the base, and a sliding leg member, which is fitted to the table top, the sliding leg member being arranged to telescope within the base leg.
 4. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is substantially U-shaped and comprises a pair of arms extending from a bight portion, the bight portion being arranged to receive a lowermost portion of the support leg.
 5. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table top comprises a table top base and a table top cover, the table top base being fitted to an uppermost portion of the support leg.
 6. A worktable according to claim 5, wherein the table top cover defines a second recess for removably receiving the cushioning means.
 7. A worktable according to claim 6, wherein the second recess defines storage means for storing tools and equipment that will be used by the pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist.
 8. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a trough is removably fitted within the first recess, the trough including a peripheral lip that is arranged to be co-planar with the table top for facilitating the collection of the dead skin shavings and cut nails. 